Mental Health & Wellness: 3rd Annual Workshop for C-Suite Executives

Join us for a day of learning and self-care at our 3rd annual Mental Health & Wellness Workshop for C-Suite Executives.

Hosted by MVS, Inc. | MVS Foundation, and CSUF Giles-O'Malley Center for Leadership College of Business and Economics. Welcome to the Mental Health & Wellness Workshop for C-Suite Executives. Join us on Tuesday, May 27th, 2025, at 8:00 AM for a day of learning and self-care with other likeminded C-Suite Executives. 

This event will take place at CSUF Mihaylo Hall | O'Brien Center (SGMH 3230). Come and discover practical tips and strategies to improve your mental well-being. Connect with other C-Suite Executives and gain valuable insights from expert speakers who will help facilitate some of the uncomfortable topics and discussions we all want to discuss and don't know where to begin. Don't miss out on this opportunity to prioritize your mental health, in an atmosphere where you can be vulnerable, have open discussions with other likeminded executives with similar experiences as you. You are NOT alone. Together we can move mountains.

Breakdown of your day | Workshop Agenda:

• 8:00AM–8:30AM: Registration and Continental Breakfast
• 8:30AM–8:50AM: Opening/Welcome (Crystal Cook | Eric Goodman | Jay Barbuto)
• 8:50AM–9:30AM: Stigmas Around Mental Health & Effective Strategies | Dr. Phoenix VanWagoner
  • This workshop will discuss the stigmas around mental health as well as effective strategies for promoting a more positive and constructive dialogue on the topic. Dr. Van Wagoner is an assistant professor of management at California State University, Fullerton. Phoenix’s research is interdisciplinary and converges at the intersection of diversity, mental health, and leadership.
• 9:30AM–10:10AM: Embark Behavioral Health, Art Therapy Session | Kathy Thirtle, LMFT, ATR-BC
  • Kathy is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Board-Certified Art Therapist, currently serving as the Assistant Clinic Director at Embark Behavioral Health in Newport Beach. During this session, Kathy will guide participants through the creative art-based activities designed to reduce stress, enhance emotional insight, and promote your overall well-being. This experience will provide executives with practical tools for emotional regulation and mindfulness through expressive art practices. 
• 10:10AM–11:20AM: C-Suite Panel Discussion: "Leaders' Role in Mental Health & Wellness at Your Workplace"; featuring Panelists:

  • Nina Barber | Executive Director, Norooz Clinic Foundation

    Nina Barber is the Executive Director of the Norooz Clinic Foundation, a non-profit mental health clinic located in Santa Ana, CA. The Norooz Clinic Foundation provides affordable and accessible mental health services to the community. Nina holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the California State University, Fullerton, and a Juris Doctor Degree from the Santa Clara University School of Law. Nina has been a part of the Norooz Clinic Foundation since 2012 and has spent the last 13 years working to destigmatize mental health stigmas in our communities by creating & implementing many different low-cost and free therapy programs at the clinic.

  • Heather Falcone | Founder, Falcone Consulting

    Heather Falcone is a leader, speaker, writer, and board member with 22 years of experience in operations and people leadership. As the former CEO of Thermal-Vac Technology, she drove strategic growth and operational excellence, leading the company to an eight-figure exit in 2024. Now the Founder of Falcone Consulting, Heather helps businesses develop and implement innovative strategies for growth. She is a passionate advocate for fair chance hiring and success for the small business community.

  • Dr. Brian Mayhugh | Founder and CEO, MindStreet

    Dr. Brian Mayhugh is a seasoned healthcare executive and licensed clinician with over 35 years of experience in behavioral health, employee assistance, and managed care. A trained psychologist, he has extensive expertise in building healthcare products, managing clinical operations, and developing digital tools and processes. Dr. Mayhugh has worked with employers and insurers of all sizes, crafting customized solutions to address mental health challenges and behavioral risks. His leadership roles have included Chief Clinical Officer and Chief Compliance Officer; he is now the founder and CEO of MindStreet, a digital therapeutics company built and validated using evidence-based medicine. MindStreet offers a 360-degree population health assessment and intervention program, combining prescription, over-the-counter, and employer-wide solutions to proactively identify and address mental health conditions and build generalizable resilience skills.

  • Nicole Suydam | President and CEO, Goodwill of Orange County

    Nicole Suydam has served the non-profit sector for 28 years, working with local and national non-profit organizations dedicated to meeting human service needs. She currently serves as president and CEO of Goodwill of Orange County, one of the largest non-profit in Orange County by revenue, providing workforce development programs and services to help over 30,000 people in our community. Goodwill’s social enterprise operation, which started in Orange County 101 years ago, employs more than 1,700 people through 24 thrift stores and 15 workforce development programs.

• 11:20AM–11:50AM: Part 2 | Stigmas Around Mental Health & Effective Strategies | Dr. Phoenix VanWagoner
• 11:50AM–12:00PM: Closing
• 12:00PM: Networking Lunch Provided (Miguel Jr.'s)